How to Provide the Best Support for Your Elderly Parents

This is a collaborative post

Do you have elderly parents that live independently? If so, you may sometimes be concerned about whether they are coping well with living alone and whether they need any additional help. Whether your parents live around the corner or further away, knowing how best to support them can be tricky. If your parents have mobility issues or health problems, living on their own can be even more of a worry. This can make striking a balance between providing support and not interfering a challenge. But the good news is, it is possible. If you are looking for some ideas on how to support your elderly parents, the following tips should help:

Discuss How You Can Help

You may have your own ideas about what is best for your parents, and this can sometimes cause clashes. While you may feel you know what is best for your parents, they may disagree. Arguments over how you think they should be living and the level of support they need can lead to tension within the family. Unfortunately, this can sometimes impact your relationship. Rather than stating your views on what you feel is best, you may find it more beneficial to offer help and see how they respond. 

Introduce Adaptations

Speaking to your parents about adaptations that they can make to their home can be really helpful. If your parents are keen to retain their independence, home adaptations can make it far easier for them to continue living in their home without assistance. Handrails and stairlifts can both be installed to ensure that your parents can move comfortably around their house, which can significantly benefit their mobility. Assistance aids such as these can prevent your parents from being confined to the downstairs of their home, allowing them to move freely around the property.

Ease the Burden

Supporting your parents by easing some of the burdens of day-to-day living can greatly help. Offering your assistance with tasks such as cleaning and shopping can make a real difference. Alleviating the worry of carrying out these tasks can be a big relief for your parents. But, before you take on these everyday tasks, it is crucial to ask them whether they want or need this assistance. Speaking with your parents to discuss which tasks will help them the most is often the best course of action.

Keep on Communicating

Effective communication is crucial in every relationship. But communication is especially important when it comes to your ageing parents. While trying to support your parents, it is easy to fall into the habit of only ever discussing their care. This can prevent you from simply enjoying time spent together and can impact your relationship with each other. Ensuring you can maintain your parent-child relationship and enjoy quality time in each other’s company is vital. Maintaining your relationship by continuing to communicate and being open with each other will make it so much easier for you to support them and reach out to you for help when needed.